Samuel B. Gordon

Hon.
Samuel B. Gordon.There are few
pioneers of California more widely or favorably known than the subject of this
sketch.

He
was born in Pendleton, South Carolina, January 17, 1828, and while an infant
moved with his parents, Thomas F. and Lovina (Powell) Gordon, to Georgia,
locating near Clarksville.Later they
moved to Walker county, same State.His
father was a planter and slaveholder, and on the farm Samuel B. was
reared.At the age of twenty-one years
he left home and came to California, making there journey hither via Cape Horn,
and arriving in San Francisco in 1850.While in Habersham county, Georgia, a mining district, his father had
giving some attention to gold mining, and with him the son had gained some
experience in that line.He
accordingly, upon coming to California, proceeded to the mining districts with
machinery, which he had brought with him.He found it of no practical use, however, in California mining, and
never utilized it.He worked in the
mines of Yuba with pick and shovel, owned claims, and pursued the business
according to the customs of early mining days, remaining thus engaged only
about one year.He then turned his
attention to farming about five miles north of San Jose, where he remained two
years, after which he removed to Redwood City, San Mateo county.At the latter place he did a lumbering
business.

In
1857 Mr. Gordon was elected to the California State Legislature from San Mateo
county, and served his constituents with marked ability and discretion, doing
important committee work.He was the
first Representative sent from the San Mateo district to the Legislature.He is a Democrat.He subsequently served as ex-officio Superintendent of Public
Schools of his county, and still later as County Assessor.

He
came to Monterey county in 1859 and located the Tularcitios and Little
Tularcitos ranchos, one and a half leagues, and engaged in raising horses,
mules, cattle and sheep.There he
remained until 1888, acquiring ownership to about 5,000 acres of land, and
doing an eminently successful business. In 1888 he disposed of his landed
interests, came to Monterey and later to Pacific Grove.At the latter place he built a fine
residence and is now living, retired from active business.

Mr.
Gordon was married December 11, 1859, to Miss Nancy J. Whisman, daughter on
John Whisman, deceased.Her father, a
native of Virginia, emigrated to Missouri, and hence crossed the plains in
1847, locating in Santa Clara county.Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have had eight children, six of whom are now living.